Pittsburgh, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.
Special agents and professional staff from the Pittsburgh Division actively support and participate in various outreach initiatives to build relationships with the diverse communities we serve and to provide comprehensive and proactive prevention and intervention programs that address national security threats and crime problems such as terrorism, drugs, gangs, and violence in support of the FBI’s mission. Our employees give presentations, conduct training, distribute resource materials, and participate in various initiatives that promote the safety and well being of the citizens in the area. Our outreach programs and services are available to all broad-based community groups, law enforcement agencies, human service organizations, school districts, youth groups, and businesses and corporations.
For more information, contact Community Outreach Specialist at 412-432-4000.
More Details on our Programs
Citizens’ Academy
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The Citizens’ Academy is a stimulating program that gives business, religious, civic, news media, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI and an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Bureau. Students gain insight into the structure and operation of an FBI field office; learn the legal basis for the FBI’s jurisdiction and issues relating to congressional oversight; and hear about the services we provide to local and state law enforcement agencies.
In the spring of 2011, we welcomed our latest Citizens’ Academy, bringing together a cross section of community leaders to learn firsthand about our operations and programs, not only demystifying our work but creating new contacts and channels for working together and sharing information. Please contact Ms. Kochamba for nomination information/materials.
Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA)
In 1990, the Director’s Community Leadership Award program was launched to recognize individuals or organizations that have had a positive impact in our community. Over the last few years, the award has gained significant importance and prestige, with the Director of the FBI personally making this presentation to those who have made an impact in the areas of crime reduction, drug deterrence, and other public safety and security initiatives.
Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST)
CREST is a shorter, more focused version of the Citizens’ Academy, conducted in partnership with a community group at a location of their choosing. CREST offers many of the advantages of the traditional Citizens’ Academy, exposing community leaders to the FBI, our people, and our operations while building mutual trust and good will. The CREST curriculum instructs students about the mission, goals, history, and internal workings of the FBI and is customized to meet the needs of each organization. Any two to four of the following topics may be selected:
Counterterrorism, Foreign Counterintelligence, Cyber Crimes, Public Corruption, Major Thefts/Violent Crimes, White Collar Crime, Civil Rights, Gangs, Drugs, Civil Rights, and Recruitment and Hiring.
Speakers Bureau
The Pittsburgh Division may be able to provide a special agent or professional support employee to speak to your educational, civic, or workplace-based organization. The topic must be related to matters under FBI jurisdiction. FBI Pittsburgh requires six weeks advance notice for all requests for speakers. All requests are subject to availability. Every effort will be made to honor your request, although there may be times when investigative needs will limit our ability to provide a speaker. Requests for speakers should be made in writing and mailed to:
FBI Pittsburgh Division
Attention: Community Outreach-Speaker Request
3311 E. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
The following information is necessary to process a request:
Possible date(s) of presentation, time of presentation, place of presentation, approximate length of presentation, specific topic(s) to be addressed, Intended audience and audience size (industry professionals, general public, students, etc.), and contact name and telephone number for additional information and response.
Education/Local School Outreach
regional_seminars021811.jpgRegional Seminars: Special Agent in Charge Rodriguez recently participated in a World Affairs Council Regional Seminar for over 300 local High School Students. Complimenting the program, Special Agent in Charge Rodriguez filmed an “Ask the Expert,” interview answering questions from the students attending the seminar.
FBI Safe Online Surfing Internet Safety Challenge: The mission of the FBI-SOS Internet Challenge is to promote cyber citizenship among students by engaging them in a fun, age-appropriate, competitive online program where they learn how to safely and responsibly use the internet. During the program, students compete in online, grade-specific interactive exercises. Topics include online predators, cyber-bullying, social networking, protecting personal Information, cell phone safety, and instant messaging. Since 2006, nearly 60,000 students from almost 400 schools in 39 states have participated.
The Adopt-A-School Program puts FBI special agents and staff members into local schools to mentor and tutor kids. In most cases, our volunteers create programs to help kids who are “at risk” or disadvantaged learn how to improve academically and become good citizens. They hope, above all, to show kids how to resist bad influences that could lead them to crime, drug use, gang participation, and violence. In some cases, our agents and staff members will focus just on mentoring and tutoring in the classroom during the school year. In others, they work with school officials to set up a 10- to 16-week Junior Special Agent program that teaches a course in civics and how to be a law-abiding citizen. At the end of this program, kids who pass the course graduate and are awarded Junior Special Agent status.